Constructing the surgical instrument denominated the



J. T. PITNEY. SPEOULUM.

1 No. 2,191. Patented July 23, 1841.

T News PETERS so, wmoumon \VMzHlNQTDN UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JOSEPH T. PITNEY, OF AUBURN, NEV YORK.

CONSTRUCTING THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT DENOMINA'IED THE SPECULUM ANI.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 2,191, dated July 23, 1841.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrl-r T. PITNEY, of Auburn, in the county of Cayuga and State of New York, have made a new and useful improvement in the manner of constructing the instrument used in surgical operations and known under the name of speculum ani, which improved instrument I denomimate the forceps-speculum ani; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof.

The instrument called the speculum ani, is one generally known to surgeons, and it has been made to assume different forms, with the design of rendering it more convenient in use; but it has not, as heretofore made, been found to fulfil the intention of its formation. The form in which I have made it, and from which I have given it the name of the forceps speculum ani, is represented in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1, is a perspective View of the instrument, and Fig. 2, a levator which accompanies, and is used with, it.

A, A, Fig, 1, is that portion of the instrument which is to enter the rectum, and this part consists of two blades which are convex on their outer, and concave on their inner surfaces; they are made tapering, or conical, diminishing in size from the handles to their outer ends, as shown in the drawing, in which the instrument is represented as of about one half of its ordinary, or medium, size. The edges of this part are carefully rounded off, and made perfectly smooth. These blades are attached to the forceps handles B, B, these two parts standing atan angle of about one hundred and twenty degrees, more or less, with each other. Through one of the forceps handles passes a set screw C, by which the blades may be more gently opened; and retained in place when opened to the required extent; and that in a manner more convenient, and more readily controlled, than in speculums of thedifferent constructions which have become known to me. By means of the forceps handles, the instrument can be readily rotated or moved around, when in use, and the seat of any fistulous opening, lesion, ulcer, or other complaint, may be ascertained, and the requisite remedy applied, or operation performed.

Fig. 2, is a levator, which is of essential service in sustaining and examining the sides of the rectum when the speculum has been inserted therein; this is so well understood as not to require any further description.

Having thus fully described the nature and construction of my speculum ani, and how the same is to be used, I do hereby declare that I claim as of my invention the manner in which I have formed and combined the respective parts; that is to say, I 

